The fear/anxiety of general anaesthetic and procedure is killing me

[Nathan_Lee]

Basically as the title says, I'm finding it very difficult to cope with this upcoming procedure (4 May). I'm having all four wisdom teeth extracted under general anaesthetic and I'm so incredibly anxious. It is virtually a depression now.

I am terrified of what GA will feel like. I don't know what to expect but I'm imaging the worst for some reason. I can't stand that I won't be in control.

I'm losing sleep (virtually none) and my digestive system is functioning so poorly all due to the anxiety. As someone that suffers from generalised anxiety I've experienced this all before.

Yesterday was so bad that I had a hidden panic attack at work and had to leave as soon as it hit 5pm.

I envision myself leaving the hospital and not going through with it. Or not even getting there at all. I don't want to do that.

What can I do? Any help is appreciated. I'm sorry to bother you all, I'm sure you all have you own worries.

 

[ddrwizard]

Basically as the title says, I'm finding it very difficult to cope with this upcoming procedure (4 May). I'm having all four wisdom teeth extracted under general anaesthetic and I'm so incredibly anxious. It is virtually a depression now.

I am terrified of what GA will feel like. I don't know what to expect but I'm imaging the worst for some reason. I can't stand that I won't be in control.

I'm losing sleep (virtually none) and my digestive system is functioning so poorly all due to the anxiety. As someone that suffers from generalised anxiety I've experienced this all before.

Yesterday was so bad that I had a hidden panic attack at work and had to leave as soon as it hit 5pm.

I envision myself leaving the hospital and not going through with it. Or not even getting there at all. I don't want to do that.

What can I do? Any help is appreciated. I'm sorry to bother you all, I'm sure you all have you own worries.

Fear not Nathan.. i do not think what i am about to say will put you completely at ease because with my own anxiety i simply find horror stories to make it worse but i am just informing you of my experience. Yesterday yes yesterday i had my wisdom teeth extracted under GA.. Two top ones annnd i had two top molars removed that were erupted as well. I felt next to nothing under GA.. The best way i could explain it is someone trying to get food stuck between your molars out. The GA now adays is very strong.. A lot stronger than i remember as a kid. (last time i went to the dentist was 17 years ago and i'm 32 now).. They first removed the bad molars and then asked if i wanted to continue and i was thinking to myself you know what, go ahead lets do it!! that is not to say i wasn't scared but honestly there really isn't pain.

The biggest shock to me was the shot they had to give me in my gums. it basically went into the roof of my mouth but really feels like someone pinching you pretty hard.. after the shot you will be fine!!! Next thing you know its over.. looking back i feel really silly for being so scared and i hope you do too after its done!!!

 

[Nathan_Lee]

Fear not Nathan.. i do not think what i am about to say will put you completely at ease because with my own anxiety i simply find horror stories to make it worse but i am just informing you of my experience. Yesterday yes yesterday i had my wisdom teeth extracted under GA.. Two top ones annnd i had two top molars removed that were erupted as well. I felt next to nothing under GA.. The best way i could explain it is someone trying to get food stuck between your molars out. The GA now adays is very strong.. A lot stronger than i remember as a kid. (last time i went to the dentist was 17 years ago and i'm 32 now).. They first removed the bad molars and then asked if i wanted to continue and i was thinking to myself you know what, go ahead lets do it!! that is not to say i wasn't scared but honestly there really isn't pain.

The biggest shock to me was the shot they had to give me in my gums. it basically went into the roof of my mouth but really feels like someone pinching you pretty hard.. after the shot you will be fine!!! Next thing you know its over.. looking back i feel really silly for being so scared and i hope you do too after its done!!!

Hi ddrwizard,

Thank you for replying. I really appreciate your comments.

I think what you were referring to in your reply is local anaesthetic (where they numb the applicable area) and not general anaesthetic (which is what I'm getting).

General anaesthetic will put me to sleep completely, which is mostly where my fear lies.

I'm pretty terrified of the idea of relinquishing control and someone "putting me to sleep".

In my consultation with my oral surgeon he basically said he wouldnt extract my wisdoms any other way. I believe it's because of the requirement to be completely still so he can do what is required.

Buuuut here I am now. Filled with anxiety and fear. It's literally making me sick. I'm losing weight and my partner is feeling the effect of my depression.

Thanks again.

 

[LittleLynnie]

I had 19 root canals in my teens and 20's and all were done with GA. I thought nothing of it at that age, but when I had to have GA again recently, I was really worried about making it out alive. The procedure itself was no big deal at all, because you just remember them giving you a needle in your hand and then you wake up a bit groggy and they make you lie down in a recovery room for a while until you can leave with your escort.

What got me through the fear though, was to tell myself that at least 100 people in my city were undergoing GA for dental work that day, and none of them will die from it. At least 1,000 people in my province will be under GA today and all will survive it. At least 2,000 across the country will do the same, and all will survive, so the chance of me NOT surviving is astronomically unlikely. I kept thinking that most of these people just walk in without major fear, as I did in my youth, and then the work is finished and they're on their way home and completely better in a few days time. I'm not sure if that will help you, but it was a really big help to me at the time.

Good luck!

 

[Nathan_Lee]

I had 19 root canals in my teens and 20's and all were done with GA. I thought nothing of it at that age, but when I had to have GA again recently, I was really worried about making it out alive. The procedure itself was no big deal at all, because you just remember them giving you a needle in your hand and then you wake up a bit groggy and they make you lie down in a recovery room for a while until you can leave with your escort.

What got me through the fear though, was to tell myself that at least 100 people in my city were undergoing GA for dental work that day, and none of them will die from it. At least 1,000 people in my province will be under GA today and all will survive it. At least 2,000 across the country will do the same, and all will survive, so the chance of me NOT surviving is astronomically unlikely. I kept thinking that most of these people just walk in without major fear, as I did in my youth, and then the work is finished and they're on their way home and completely better in a few days time. I'm not sure if that will help you, but it was a really big help to me at the time.

Good luck!

Hi LittleLynnie,

Thank you for your words.

It's a funny thing to know deep down that the chances of something going wrong are so minimal yet our minds play games on us.

I completely understand what you're saying about the number of people undergoing surgery the same day. It's a comforting thought.

Along with some psychological techniques I've been advised to apply in the lead up to the procedure and on the day, I'm also hoping that premedication (Midazolam) will play it's role on the day. Do you think it will assist in calming me?

I'm confident of my surgeon and anaesthtists ability, yet I find it so difficult to relinquish this control to them for just 30-45min. Thats it?!

It also comes down to a fear the unknown. How it will "feel" to be administered anaesthetic? Will I care? How will I respond?

Cheers,
Nathan

 

[LittleLynnie]

Well, you won't "feel" anything at all, because as soon as they put the needle in and start the medication, you'll be totally unconscious. When you wake up and are moved to the recovery room, you'll be a bit unsteady on your feet, but your mind will be fine. You'll probably feel sleepy though, and most people have a wee nap in the recovery room until it's time to go home.

Have you taken the Midazolam before? If so, you should be able to guess how much it will help you, and if not, you will have to wait to find out. It will totally depend on the dose and your body's response to it. I hope that it gives you a great sense of calm and that this is all behind you very soon. That's another great coping mechanism I use, I tell myself that on such-and-such a date (May 5th in your case), it will all be over with and I'll be in a much better place (having had it done, rather than having it loom ahead of me).

Good luck!

 

[Dg6300]

How are you doing, Nathan?

 

[Nathan_Lee]

How are you doing, Nathan?

Hi Dg6300,

Thanks for asking, I really really appreciate it.

On the advice of my partner and mother, I went to see a doctor today to see if there was anything he could prescribe for someone with GAD and medical/health anxiety that could assist me to get through the next week and a half till the procedure. As I had anticipated, he prescribed some benzodiazapams and recommended I see a psychologist to work through the anxiety/phobias. I don't particular disagree with his comments and will perhaps see a psychologist once this is all over.

As for the procedure next week...I have so much running through my mind. I don't know where to begin.

As ridiculous as it sounds, part of me has resigned to the fact that if something goes wrong during the surgery then that's life. Almost like I'm preparing to pass away. Again, I'm aware how insane this sounds and is extremely unlikely.

Another part of me is trying to be hopeful that everything will turn out alright. I'm trying to look forward to a future past the procedure. Walks with my dog, spending time with my partner, a holiday in Europe with friends in July.

I've visualised the procedure in my head perhaps a hundred million times and thinking over and over how the nurses, anesthetist and surgeon will treat me when I arrive at the hospital. I'm not even sure I'll even make it past the hospital reception.

I haven't yet spoken with my anesthetist who I am praying will answer all of my questions and come across comforting but I'm just not sure what to expect. I know that my mother (nurse) has worked with him in the past and apparently he is "good at what he does". But is he good with anxious patients?

I feel that is long as he can provide me with a (strong/strongest) sedative prior to actually administering the anesthetic I may actually have a fighting chance. I would love to just drift off to sleep, like a snooze or to simply not have been aware of when I actually did go to sleep/get put under. I have read quite a few accounts and people on this forum and others have advised the anesthetist could provide me something to sedate me prior to the actual GA, like midazolam or some other drug I'm not aware of.

Part of me is saying "does it matter if you have an sedative or not? the end result is the same...you're still going to sleep!" but I think I would prefer one.

I've read almost every possible account of GA and wisdom teeth extraction on the internet in every possible forum. I'm so tired. The anxiety and fear has over run my working life, my relationship (thank God my partner is resilient - she is the best thing that ever happened to me), my social life and my family life.

I know I need to see this through to the end but you have no idea how much I'm shaking inside. Or perhaps you do.

Cheers,
Nathan

 

[Nathan_Lee]

I paid the $1600 for the procedure today. I was trembling as I was giving the receptionist my credit card details.

I've essentially locked myself in and I am so amazingly anxious. I just don't know how I'm going to cope on 4 May.

I'm not even sure I can bring myself through those hospital doors let alone the operating theater.

 

[Casromot]

I paid the $1600 for the procedure today. I was trembling as I was giving the receptionist my credit card details.

I've essentially locked myself in and I am so amazingly anxious. I just don't know how I'm going to cope on 4 May.

I'm not even sure I can bring myself through those hospital doors let alone the operating theater.

Just wanted to let you know im thinking of you.im in the same boat, my procedure was today, and i was so nervous i was vomiting and crying in the parking lot. it really does go by fast. you can do this. you can do this, you can do this and then you will NEVER have to do it again

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Nathan_Lee

Thinking of you... I had general for a different procedure and was scared to death of it.. and at the last minute I even told the anesthiosologist.. its a deal breaker.. I'm not doing it.. not general. and then my Dr came in and calmed me down a little and reassured me everything would be ok. And it went so amazingly smooth. I didn't know what happened before you know it I was out and good and all went amazingly smooth. They have great technology and trained experts who know how to help in any and every situation. So even though its super anxiety producing,, believe me I had every scenario in my anxious head. It will be easier than imagined.

 

[Nathan_Lee]

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack...and guess what???

Minus 4 wisdoms under general anaesthetic baby!!

I'll post a more lengthy description of the days events but all I can say briefly is that today I climbed Everest ? I feel on top of the world ?

Generalised anxiety and medical/health anxiety is literally debilitating but today was testament that even the most desperate and severe cases can be overcome with the power of the mind, support from loved ones, great doctors/anaethetists and caring/nurturing nurses.

If you're reading this and have an extraction coming up under GA or even twighlight sedation...trust these words from a severely (I mean really really severe) anxious person...it is NOT the picture you are painting in your mind.

It will be VERY different to what you expect. In a very beautiful way.

Thanks to all those in this forum who answered my hundred questions and showed their support. I love you, yet I've never met you ?

Be calm
Nathan

 

[krlovesherkids777]

SO awesome to hear Nathan!!!